ADVERTISEMENT

If there's a problem, there's a solution. Of course, if the issue is very specific, a simple screwdriver probably won't do the trick. Luckily, human ingenuity has more to offer. A lot more. And you can see it all on the subreddit r/SpecializedTools.

It's an interesting corner of the internet, encouraging people to post photos of niche tools, created to make our lives better in situations where nothing else fits quite as well. A real delight to satisfy our curiosity.

#1

This Chair For People Who Love To Sit Cross-Legged

This Chair For People Who Love To Sit Cross-Legged

mtimetraveller Report

Most family garages probably have an assortment of tools and materials that could all be used to make, for example, a basic table for the backyard or even something more complex. The team at Dienamics, a company that specializes in industrial design, toolmaking, and manufacturing, says that tools are the backbone of modern industry and trade. They are essential in almost any construction project. However, we don't often stop to think about the process of making the tools themselves.

Many argue that in prehistoric times, one of the most important eras in our evolution was the utilization of basic tools. The earliest known human-made stone tools date back around 2.6 million years. Crafted and used by homo habilis (sometimes known as "handy man"), these implements marked the first in a series of major toolmaking advances among early human hunter-gatherer societies, lasting from the early Stone Age all the way up until the first modern humans, homo sapiens, made the transition to permanent agricultural settlements around 10,000 years ago. Tools allowed our ancient ancestors to have much more of an effect on the world around them, helping them to survive in more comfort, and achieve more with less.

ADVERTISEMENT

As we evolved as a species, so did our tools and our ability to use them. These two elements were essential to the development of infrastructure, which spurred the establishment of trades like carpentry and blacksmithing which relied on an individual mastering the use of a certain tool or trade. While hand tools were once forged out of the natural environment, these trades fine-tuned the creation of their tools using iron, wood and other metals which were heated and remolded.

These days, the process of creating tools is a lot more specific which, according to Dienamics, means there is a uniformity in material, size, and weight of hand tools which wasn't possible before. Now, a hand tool is designed on a computer, taking into account specific measurements and densities which make it both efficient and easy to use.

#5

Tree Mover

Tree Mover

Pushkatron Report

#6

A Lift To Help This Truck Driver Get In Cab

A Lift To Help This Truck Driver Get In Cab

memezzer Report

#7

Surgical Suture Training Pad

Surgical Suture Training Pad

mud_tug Report

#8

My Smallest And Largest Hex Keys For Working On Large Injection Molding Presses

My Smallest And Largest Hex Keys For Working On Large Injection Molding Presses

switchup Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

A Norwegian Shoe Drying Machine

A Norwegian Shoe Drying Machine

Sacktimus_Prime Report

Add photo comments
POST
cip-iesan-67 avatar
Cip IESAN
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fact, the device sucks the smell from the shoes and spread it all over the neighborhood...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Snow Clearing Machine For Trucks!

Snow Clearing Machine For Trucks!

screwywabbit Report

Add photo comments
POST
nfrlprdpr avatar
Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s illegal in many states not to clear snow from the roof of a vehicle

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

To Test Large Crane Capacity We Use Giant Water Bags... Aka The Balls Of Judgment

To Test Large Crane Capacity We Use Giant Water Bags... Aka The Balls Of Judgment

flgsrockon Report

#12

In Case You Have Never Seen, These Baffle Balls Are Used Inside Water Trucks To Stop The Water From Sloshing Side To Side While Driving

In Case You Have Never Seen, These Baffle Balls Are Used Inside Water Trucks To Stop The Water From Sloshing Side To Side While Driving

NRGpop Report

#13

During The Australian Bushfires Any Water Source Can Be Used To Fight The Fires

During The Australian Bushfires Any Water Source Can Be Used To Fight The Fires

outdatedopinion Report

Add photo comments
POST
rjjecreek avatar
Jo Morris
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw water getting taken from water hazards on a neighbouring golf course during the Canberra Bushfires.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

You Saw My Largest And Smallest Hex Keys. These Are My Largest And Smallest Adjustable Wrenches!

You Saw My Largest And Smallest Hex Keys. These Are My Largest And Smallest Adjustable Wrenches!

switchup Report

#15

This Titanium Coated Butter Knife With Internal Copper Alloy Heat Tubes. It’s Made To Heat Up When Held In Your Hand, So That It Is Easier To Spread Butter

This Titanium Coated Butter Knife With Internal Copper Alloy Heat Tubes. It’s Made To Heat Up When Held In Your Hand, So That It Is Easier To Spread Butter

RampChurch Report

Add photo comments
POST
ner_diz avatar
Serial pacifist
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Titanium coated butter knife with internal copper alloy heat tubes". Really? Just to cut butter? What would you use for bread - a vibranium covered adamantium-made knife with a diamond-cutting laser beam?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

A Street Sign Cleaning Vehicle, Complete With Soap, Water, A Brush And Some Kind Of Reflective Wax (Or Something?). First Time Seeing One In Germany

A Street Sign Cleaning Vehicle, Complete With Soap, Water, A Brush And Some Kind Of Reflective Wax (Or Something?). First Time Seeing One In Germany

ToFFi57 Report

#18

These Specialized Chain Tires That Are Used In The Extreme Heat Of Steel Mills

These Specialized Chain Tires That Are Used In The Extreme Heat Of Steel Mills

AristonD Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#20

My Buddy Made Me A Label Applicator. Just Passed 8000 Bottles/Labels

My Buddy Made Me A Label Applicator. Just Passed 8000 Bottles/Labels

JeF4y Report

#22

The Sasumata Is A Pole Weapon Used By The Samurai In Feudal Japan. It's Also Used Today To Safely Wrangle Anyone Posing A Threat To Civilians

The Sasumata Is A Pole Weapon Used By The Samurai In Feudal Japan. It's Also Used Today To Safely Wrangle Anyone Posing A Threat To Civilians

SAmtoogz Report

Add photo comments
POST
saragregory0508 avatar
NsG
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I misread this as "satsuma" and wondered how a small orange fruit could be used in crowd control... My bad.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

New Type Of Parking Enforcement On My Campus Replacing The Boot, Appropriately Named “The Barnacle”

New Type Of Parking Enforcement On My Campus Replacing The Boot, Appropriately Named “The Barnacle”

LiQuiD0v3rkiLL Report

Add photo comments
POST
keith-johnson avatar
KJ
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Curious about how its fixed to the windscreen, surely easier to remove?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Bend Rules

Bend Rules

mtimetraveller Report

Add photo comments
POST
marysefaucher avatar
Maryse Faucher
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got one of those from my dad tool box that I got after his passing. Strangely used it to make the corner when I sew

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Tool That Allows One Man To Move The Whole Train By Hand

Tool That Allows One Man To Move The Whole Train By Hand

aloofloofah Report

Add photo comments
POST
shelleycole avatar
Moodles
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd like every train in the UK is moved like this ALL THE TIME judging by the constant delays

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Barrel-Filling Bridge

Barrel-Filling Bridge

aloofloofah Report

#27

When A Guy Walks Into Your Office With This Thing Asking To Take A Reading. It's Called A Velometer, And Measures The Speed Of Air In A Given Area. He Kindly Allowed Me To Take A Photo

When A Guy Walks Into Your Office With This Thing Asking To Take A Reading. It's Called A Velometer, And Measures The Speed Of Air In A Given Area. He Kindly Allowed Me To Take A Photo

AzayakaCosplay Report

Add photo comments
POST
stienbabe avatar
Becky Samuel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We're going to be seeing a lot more of this now that the importance of air flow in disease prevention has become more apparent.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Nasa Pistol Grip Tool - A Cordless Power Screwdriver/Drill Used By Spacewalking Astronauts To Fix The Hubble Space Telescope And The International Space Station

Nasa Pistol Grip Tool - A Cordless Power Screwdriver/Drill Used By Spacewalking Astronauts To Fix The Hubble Space Telescope And The International Space Station

mikerowave Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#29

I Work In A Stem Cell Lab. This Is A Liquid Nitrogen Dry Shipper, Used To Transport Cryopreserved Products Like Stem Cells And Vaccines In -150c

I Work In A Stem Cell Lab. This Is A Liquid Nitrogen Dry Shipper, Used To Transport Cryopreserved Products Like Stem Cells And Vaccines In -150c

hiimkristina Report

#30

Using A Comb To Straighten Air Conditioner Fins

Using A Comb To Straighten Air Conditioner Fins

jefftatro1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
kennykulbiski avatar
Kenny Kulbiski
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, but no matter how many you bring to the job you won't have the right size, they take quite a bit of effort, and don't work on heavily smashed fins. Plus you're probably going to slip and slice your knuckles.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Stenographer, The Machine The Court Reporters Use To Type Everything That Is Said There

Stenographer, The Machine The Court Reporters Use To Type Everything That Is Said There

mtimetraveller , Mike Gifford Report

Add photo comments
POST
franziska-birk avatar
Francis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

can somebody explain me how it works and how the people know what they wrote?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Spent Shotgun Shell Lawn Sweeper Picker-Upper

Spent Shotgun Shell Lawn Sweeper Picker-Upper

GI-Girl56 Report

#33

Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

Pedestrian Catcher In 1920s

mtimetraveller Report

Add photo comments
POST
mcborge1 avatar
mcborge1
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can just imagine the narration. :D "And look at this hapless chap, we'll soon deal with him."

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

They're Childrens' Training Scissors. Like For Pre-Schoolers. The Extra Holes Are So A Grown-Up Can Co-Scissor And Help The Kid

They're Childrens' Training Scissors. Like For Pre-Schoolers. The Extra Holes Are So A Grown-Up Can Co-Scissor And Help The Kid

Mak_101 Report

#35

I'm A Dog Groomer. These Guys Are Chunkers Meant To Specifically "Chunk" Out The Thick Hair

I'm A Dog Groomer. These Guys Are Chunkers Meant To Specifically "Chunk" Out The Thick Hair

daisytrips Report

#36

Insulated Cryo Glove For Handling Very Cold Items (E.g. Liquid Helium). Like An Oven Mitt’s Cold Cousin

Insulated Cryo Glove For Handling Very Cold Items (E.g. Liquid Helium). Like An Oven Mitt’s Cold Cousin

phronimouse Report

#37

A Tool Used For Straw Roofing. Dutch Word For It Is 'Drijfbord'

A Tool Used For Straw Roofing. Dutch Word For It Is 'Drijfbord'

Moeiekoe Report

#38

For Right Handed, Left Eye Dominant Folks

For Right Handed, Left Eye Dominant Folks

robblokkit Report

Add photo comments
POST
pmcclellan avatar
NOLAHusker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if the rest of the world knows that hunting rifles exist in countries other than the US. Wouldn’t know it based on these comments.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#39

Ladies And Gentlemen, Allow Me To Present A Fabled “The Right Tool”. This Is The Only Tool That Can Be Used To Remove The Oil Filter Housing On A Lamborghini Gallardo

Ladies And Gentlemen, Allow Me To Present A Fabled “The Right Tool”. This Is The Only Tool That Can Be Used To Remove The Oil Filter Housing On A Lamborghini Gallardo

8jac0b88 Report

Add photo comments
POST
franziska-birk avatar
Francis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

when you're so hyper special that you design a car that comes with its own tools :D

danielshadowdrakken avatar
Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

haha, cute that you think it comes with and isn't an extra cost and exclusively sold to authorized mechanics ;)

Load More Replies...
meinespammailadresse1 avatar
A B C
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"The only tool"? Yeah, right. Hold my beer and gimme a bog-standard pipe wrench. Noone said it had to be scratch-free.

moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would be willing to bet that your pipe wrench wouldn't fit into whatever crevice they've tucked the filter into.

Load More Replies...
robert-thornburrow avatar
Robert T
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks similar to the tool used for removing MG hub nuts (spinners) as they are octagonal. I just use my Thor hammer. :D

selenevincenzi avatar
emilymrangel avatar
over it already
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Funny that it looks EXACTLY like the tool we use to open the new 5-gallon buckets of dish soap and laundry detergent at the retirement home I work at...

ekaterinas avatar
Ekaterina S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tried to change a light bulb on my Boxster once and realized, I need a special tool too and the whole lights need to be shortly removed from the car?!

ann_m_rosa avatar
Amazon QT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“AND IT COSTS $2,000- just for the tool!!!!” - - While I’m scanning the AutoZone for the cheapest oil filter remover for my 1995 Honda delSol… there it is $4.99 and it fits literally every kind of oil filter.

tomaz_sajovic_69 avatar
Tomaž Sajovic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever photographed this could take 2 steps and get a shot of that blue Lambo, not a Ferrari...

ann_m_rosa avatar
Amazon QT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL I was gonna say, they talkin’ about a Lamborghini and showing’ a Ferrari!!!! 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

Load More Replies...
benlensgraf avatar
Thorfin Wolfsbane
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah right, give me a hammer and a screwdriver and i'll get that oil filter housing off that Lambo!

jo_ksys avatar
Jo Kassis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would have been more appropriate to show a lambo rather than a ferrari?

mjw0sysascend_com avatar
lara
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone who can afford a Lamborghini is NOT changing his oil much less the filter.

fboutup avatar
John Saunders
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whenever my Lamborghini needs an oil change I just trade it in on a new one. Comes with a full tank of gasoline too.

Load More Replies...
ladygoodwrench avatar
HammerzToe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or the right car for the tool... who came first the tool or the car...

jxshannon2 avatar
John Shannon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a very similar one for screwing off the cover of a grit filter some rural houses have.

vicki-perizzolo avatar
Vicki Perizzolo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so you can make sure the owner has $30k to spend to change the oil... too much money and too little common sense.

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every car I’ve ever had requires a specialty tool or two if you plan to work on it yourself.

mapptree avatar
Marsha Peters
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Guaranteed to make you bring it back to the pricy Dealer for service, I suppose ...

jerry-mathers-73 avatar
Jerry Mathers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For oil filters, I know there exists a tool that is just a wide piece of heavy duty rubber that you loop around the filter and then adjust until right. It universally removes and replaces oil filter from every kind of car and is relatively cheap. I found it in the 80s when the whole "specialty tool" trend started to ramp up.

bappelsinmannen avatar
Nisse Danielsson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A screwdriver slammed through the filter with a hammer should do the job as well!

ann_m_rosa avatar
Amazon QT
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That‘s what my hubby had to do the JDM delSol DOHC Auto motor he imported for his ‘93 Honda delSol several years ago. The oil filters for the Japan market are much smaller and at the time (2009) we couldn’t find a small enough oil filter remover so we punched a screwdriver into the filter and twisted it off.

Load More Replies...
makaimagie_1 avatar
MaKai Magie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What, you can't put a screwdriver through the filter... lol.

pam_falcioni avatar
2WheelTravlr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also have "right tools" for my Italian and German motorcycles, and a few homemade "right tools" that kept a lot of $$ in my pocket.

f_h_ avatar
F. H.
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like you could also remove the filter caps from sterilization devices. The tools for that are usually plastic, though.

kifflington avatar
Natalie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why would a chain wrench not work? Genuine question.

moconnell avatar
M O'Connell
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm betting the rather short handle is a clue, there may not be enough clearance for a typical chain or strap wrench. Plus, its a replacable paper-element filter, so you'd probably not want to mess up the housing using the improper tool. Though if it were an American car they would have put a nub on the end with flats for a standard wrench size.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

A Champagne Sabre, For Cutting The Tops Off Champagne Bottles

A Champagne Sabre, For Cutting The Tops Off Champagne Bottles

CitySquirrel202 Report

Note: this post originally had 49 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.